Description

Generally, children soon learn to read the emotions of their family members around them relying on the tone of voice; body language; and other external cues, as well as the facial expressions.

However, experts warn that some children struggle to recognise facial expressions easily, and this can cause learning difficulties, and peer problems.   Using these facial expression activity cards, helps children become aware that the emotions they feel, can be read on their faces.  This activity helps them to develop empathy, and cognitive skills which in turn help them to read emotions in others, and build relationships.

The earlier that this activity is introduced, the sooner the Child can absorb the meaning, and understand the emotion.

We suggest that the use of a small hand-mirror (sold-seperately) is incorporated into the activity, allowing the Child to view their change of facial expressions as they try to imagine the emotion discussed in the photographs.

Features of the Facial Expression Cards:

• the direct objective for the Child, is to;
  • recognise and name the emotion behind the facial expression
• indirectly, children;
  • develop empathy and emotional intelligence
  • learn how to manage their emotions
  • find ways to express their feelings with words, without exploding into tantrums
• this activity forms part of the language Montessori curriculum
• offers children an introduction to adjectives or descriptive words
  • the teacher can use the grammar symbols with these cards to introduce simple sentence structure to the elementary child
• provides an opportunity to discuss emotions

Contents of the Facial Expression Cards:

• 18 high resolution images of a variety of children physically showing their emotions through their facial expressions
• stored in an A5 plastic envelope

We have carefully selected our images, to ensure that they reflect the diversity of the world’s populations.

Attributions:

1. The photograph to express “disgust” is reproduced by permission of freepik.com

Size:

• Cards 18cm x 16cm / (7″ x 6¼”)
• Envelope 24cm x 17cm x 1cm / (9½” x 6¾” x ¾”)

Further Reading and Resources:

1. Facial Expressions for Kids: Helping children read emotions by Parenting Science
2. How to help your child learn to read facial expressions by understood.com